U.S. patent number 6,912,802 [Application Number 10/645,946] was granted by the patent office on 2005-07-05 for golf alignment system and method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Michael Thomas Cooper. Invention is credited to Michael Thomas Cooper.
United States Patent |
6,912,802 |
Cooper |
July 5, 2005 |
Golf alignment system and method
Abstract
A golf alignment system and method that allows a golfer to
properly align his or her feet in relation to the already
positioned golf club prior to attempting a shot. The invention
comprises one or more substantially horizontal alignment stripes
disposed upon a pair of shoes worn by a golfer. The alignment
stripes may be of any color or material provided they are visually
discernable from the rest of the shoe. The present invention uses
aligned stripes skewed at a slight angle, offset from the
longitudinal axis of the golfer's shoes. Because a human's back or
heel portion of the foot is narrower than the front portion,
adjacent horizontally disposed alignment stripes on each individual
shoe, when brought together, would not result in a series of
horizontal lines. However, when utilizing the present invention at
the beginning of the alignment process before the golfer actually
strikes the ball, the golfer brings his or her feet together or
very close to each other. In this position, the front portions of
the golfer's feet are slightly splayed out due to the wider front
portion of the feet and narrower heel portion of the feet, such
that a series of parallel horizontal lines are formed. The golfer
may then glance down at a vertical alignment channel that is
created by the newly formed sets of parallel horizontal lines, and
use it as a guide in order to align his or her feet in respect to
the putter face and original target line, which in turn then aids
the golfer in aligning the rest of his or her body for a proper
golf shot.
Inventors: |
Cooper; Michael Thomas (Palm
Beach Gardens, FL) |
Assignee: |
Cooper; Michael Thomas (Palm
Beach Gardens, FL)
|
Family
ID: |
32853490 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/645,946 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/127; 36/1;
36/114; 36/132; 36/136 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B
5/001 (20130101); A63B 69/3667 (20130101); A43B
1/0027 (20130101); A43B 3/0078 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A43B
5/00 (20060101); A43B 23/02 (20060101); A63B
69/36 (20060101); A43B 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;36/127,1,114,132,136,45
;473/270,278,218 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Patterson; M. D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Christopher & Weisberg,
P.A.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is related to and claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/447,363 filed Feb. 14,
2003, entitled GOLF ALIGNMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD, the entirety of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A golf shot alignment system comprising a left and a right shoe,
each having a longitudinal axis and front and rear regions, wherein
each said shoe includes alignment indicia disposed upon an upper
surface thereof, such that when the front and rear regions of the
left shoe are side-by-side with corresponding front and rear
regions of the right shoe, the alignment indicia form a vertical
alignment channel.
2. The golf alignment system of claim 1 wherein the alignment
indicia are comprised of markings that are visually discernable
from the shoes.
3. The golf shot alignment system of claim 2 wherein the markings
are comprised of a color that is distinguishable from the color of
each shoe.
4. The golf shot alignment system of claim 2 wherein the markings
are affixed to the upper surface of each shoe via adhesive
means.
5. The golf shot alignment system of claim 2 wherein the markings
are painted on the upper surface of each shoe.
6. The golf shot alignment system of claim 2 wherein the markings
are manufactured as an integral component of each shoe.
7. The golf shot alignment system of claim 2 wherein the markings
are formed of raised stitching extending from the surface of the
shoes.
8. The golf shot alignment system of claim 2 wherein the markings
are formed by recesses within the shoes.
9. The golf shot alignment system of claim 2 wherein the markings
are comprised of at least two alignment stripes disposed upon the
upper surface of each shoe, each said alignment stripe having a
transverse axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the shoe upon
which it is disposed such that when the front and rear regions of
the left shoe are side-by-side with corresponding front and rear
regions of the right shoe, the inner edges of the alignment stripes
on the left shoe become substantially parallel to the inner edges
of the alignment stripes on the right shoe due to a wider width of
a human's front foot region and a narrower width of a human's rear
foot region thereby creating the vertical alignment channel
extending forward from the aligned inner edges of the alignment
stripes.
10. The golf alignment system of claim 9 wherein each shoe further
comprises at least one substantially vertically aligned stripe
connecting two or more said alignment stripes thereby visually
displaying at least a portion of the vertical alignment
channel.
11. The golf shot alignment system of claim 9 wherein when the
front and rear regions of the left shoe are side-by-side with the
corresponding front and rear regions of the right shoe, the
longitudinal axis of each alignment stripe on the left shoe is
substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a corresponding
alignment stripe on the right shoe thereby creating at least one
horizontal alignment guide line to provide the golfer with an
additional golf shot alignment mechanism.
12. A pair of golf shoes used to assist a golfer in, aligning a
golf swing, the golf shoes comprising: a left and a right shoe each
having a longitudinal axis and front and rear regions, wherein each
said shoe includes alignment indicia disposed upon an upper surface
thereof, the alignment indicia comprised of at least one alignment
stripe, each said alignment stripe having a transverse axis offset
from the longitudinal axis of the shoe upon which it is disposed
such that when the front and rear regions of the left shoe are
side-by-side with corresponding front and rear regions of the right
shoe, the inner edges of the at least one alignment stripe on the
left shoe become substantially parallel to the inner edges of the
at least one alignment stripe on the right shoe due to a wider
width of a human's front foot region and a narrower width of a
human's rear foot region thereby creating a vertical alignment
channel extending forward from the aligned inner edges of the
alignment stripes.
13. The golf shoes of claim 12 wherein each said shoe further
comprises at least one substantially vertically aligned stripe
connecting two or more said alignment stripes thereby visually
displaying at least a portion of the vertical alignment
channel.
14. A method for assisting a golfer in aligning a golf swing
comprising the steps of: positioning a golfer's left and right
shoes, wherein each of the golfer's shoes have a longitudinal axis
and front and rear regions, and alignment indicia disposed upon an
upper surface of each said shoe, the alignment indicia comprised of
at least one alignment stripe, each said alignment stripe having a
transverse axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the shoe upon
which it is disposed; and aligning the golfer's shoes such that
when the front and rear regions of the left shoe are side-by-side
with corresponding front and rear regions of the right shoe, the
inner edges of the alignment stripes on the left shoe become
substantially parallel to the inner edges of the alignment stripes
on the right shoe due to a wider width of a human's front foot
region and a narrower width of a human's rear foot region thereby
creating a vertical alignment channel extending forward from the
aligned inner edges of the alignment stripes.
15. A method for assisting a golfer in aligning a golf swine,
comprising the steps of: positioning a golfer's left and right
shoes in a first position wherein the golfer's feet are in a
pre-shot orientation, each of the golfer's shoes having a
longitudinal axis and front and rear regions, wherein each said
shoe includes alignment indicia disposed upon an upper surface
thereof, the alignment indicia comprised of at least one alignment
stripe each having a transverse axis offset from the longitudinal
axis of the shoe upon which it is disposed; and moving the golfer's
feet together resulting in a second position wherein the front and
rear regions of the left shoe are side-by-side with corresponding
front and rear regions of the right shoe such that the inner edges
of the alignment stripes on the left shoe become substantially
parallel to the inner edges of the alignment stripes on the right
shoe due to a wider width of a human's front foot region and a
narrower width of a human's rear foot region thereby creating a
vertical alignment channel.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein when the front and rear regions
of the left shoe are side-by-side with corresponding front and rear
regions of the right shoe, the longitudinal axis of each alignment
stripe on the left shoe is substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis of a corresponding alignment stripe on the right
shoe thereby creating at least one horizontal alignment guide line
to provide the golfer with an additional golf shot alignment
mechanism.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising swinging the golf
club along a path substantially parallel to the at least one
horizontal alignment guide.
18. The golf shot alignment system of claim 2 wherein the markings
are comprised of at least two alignment stripes disposed upon the
upper surface of each shoe, each said alignment stripe having a
transverse axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the shoe upon
which it is disposed such that when the front and rear regions of
the left shoe are side-by-side with the corresponding front and
rear regions of the right shoe, the alignment stripes on the left
shoe become substantially parallel to the alignment stripes on the
right shoe due to a wider width of a human's front foot region and
a narrower width of a human's rear foot region thereby creating the
vertical alignment channel extending forward from the aligned inner
edges of the alignment stripes.
19. A golf shot alignment system comprising a left and a right
shoe, each having a longitudinal axis and front and rear regions,
wherein each said shoe includes alignment indicia disposed upon an
upper surface thereof, such that when the front region of the left
shoe touches the front region of the right shoe and the rear region
of the left shoe touches the rear region of the right shoe, the
alignment indicia form a vertical alignment channel.
Description
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
n/a
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a golf device and more
particularly to a golfing system and method that assists a golfer
in aligning his or her feet and body in order to properly and
accurately strike a golf ball without the need for placing
alignment objects on the golf course.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Golf, particularly in the area of putting, is a deceptively
difficult sport. A golfer requires concentration, hand-eye
coordination and determination to be successful. Various golf aides
are available that enable the golfer to best utilize his or her
skills and to assist in providing guides in order to make the art
of putting easier. However, golf is not without its strict rules.
For example, no guiding mechanisms are allowed to be placed on the
golf course that would unfairly assist in providing a direct path
from the golfer to the golf hole. It is entirely up to the golfer
to gauge the distance and direction from the ball to the hole and
to determine exactly how and where to strike the ball in order to
sink a putt.
During the set-up process of a golf shot, in particular, putting, a
golfer will choose a visual target line for the path of the
intended shot. This is typically done by standing or crouching
behind the golf ball and transposing an imaginary target line onto
the ground from behind and continuing on through in front of the
ball. At this point, the golfer will then usually stand alongside
the ball, in what is typically referred to as the "address
position", in preparation for the ensuing stroke.
The problem that the present invention rectifies occurs at this
stage. Once the golfer is in the "address position", the golfer is
now positioned sideways to the chosen target line. As the golfer
turns to confirm the line, his head turns at an angle thus altering
the perceived line of the shot. The problem may be further
compounded by the visual dominance of one eye over the other. In
response to this perceived line change, a golfer will often adjust
his or her body position incorrectly. In the process of putting,
incremental changes in the chosen line can have negative and
perhaps disastrous effects upon the outcome of the shot. To
overcome this problem, the golfer may, either deliberately, or by
an unrealized technical breakdown, attempt a variety of ways to
manipulate the golf ball back onto the correct target line.
Needless to say, this leads to an inconsistent stroke, something no
golfer wants to be encumbered with.
Because the United States Golf Association (USGA), the organization
governing the rules of golf in the United States, prohibits the use
of any artificial measuring or alignment devices placed on the golf
course, what would be beneficial is a method and apparatus that
complies with the rules of golf and would allow the golfer to
easily align his or her body over the ball to produce a properly
aligned stroke.
While there exist other golf-alignment patents, none provide an
alignment system that assist the golfer in aligning a golf shot,
particularly during putting, and is activated by merely bringing
the golfer's shoes together in a side-by-side manner. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 2,503,586, issued to Miller, discloses a golf shoe
having indicia upon the shoe in the form of contrasting colors
and/or cross-hatched lines. In Miller, the golfer aligns only the
golf ball with the front shoe by lining up the ball with the
intersection of lines on the golfer's front shoe. However, in
Miller, the rear shoe plays no role in the alignment process.
Further, Miller fails to disclose an alignment system that utilizes
both shoes together and that is activated when the golfer brings
his or her shoes together in a natural, side-by-side manner, an
orientation normally necessary to properly strike a golf ball
during putting.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,614 issued to Goldstein discloses golf
alignment shoes that allow a golfer to achieve a proper stance
prior to striking the ball. The golfer is required to move the
front of his or her golf shoes outward until indicia upon the left
shoe is aligned with indicia on the right shoe. At this point, the
proper "Hogan" stance is achieved. However, the golfer must
"eyeball" the lines on each shoe and then subjectively determine at
what point to stop in order to achieve alignment and maintain the
stance before striking the ball. This patent fails to disclose a
system that provides alignment stripes on each shoe wherein, when
the golfer simply brings his or her shoes together, preferably, so
the heels and toes either touch, or are very close to each other,
the alignment stripes form a vertical alignment channel and
corresponding set of alignment stripes to assist the golfer in
positioning his or her feet and body in order to properly strike
the ball. Instead, Goldstein focuses on assisting the golfer in
achieving a specific golfing stance for fairway shots only.
It is therefore desirable to provide a system and method for
assisting a golfer in aligning his or her feet, body and golf club,
prior to striking the ball, by utilizing a series of alignment
stripes disposed on the golfer's shoes, and which is activated when
the shoes are brought together.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The golf alignment system of the present invention gives a golfer
an opportunity to correct the aforementioned problems in the art by
aiding the golfer in aligning his or her feet with the face of the
golf club prior to striking the ball. This is accomplished through
a simple step-by-step procedure that utilizes one or more sets of
horizontal alignment stripes disposed upon each shoe and
particularly a Vertical Alignment Channel ("VAC") that is created
by lining up the inner edges of these alignment stripes. By
utilizing this system, nearly the entire alignment process can be
performed while looking directly down (with the head and eyes
level), at the feet, clubface and golf ball, as opposed to
attempting to line up the shot by awkwardly skewing the head and
eyes to the side.
The present invention comprises one or more alignment stripes
disposed on a pair of shoes worn by a golfer. The alignment stripes
may be of any color or material provided they can be distinguished
from the rest of the shoe. For example, the portion of the shoe
without any indicia may be white or off-white, the common color of
golfing shoes, and the stripes may be black, red, or dark blue. In
one embodiment, the alignment stripes may be painted or drawn on
the shoes. In another embodiment, the alignment stripes may adhere
to the shoes by one of any typical method such as the use of glue,
tape, VELCRO.RTM. or the like. In yet another embodiment, stripes
of colored leather may be sown directly onto the shoe. In yet
another embodiment, the alignment stripes are formed by raised
stitching or grooves. The color of the stripes and the method in
which they are affixed to the golfer's shoes are not critical to
the invention and may vary. The present invention encompasses
alignment stripes formed by any visually discernable markings and
all adhesion methods commonly know in the art.
The actual alignment of the stripes is critical to the invention.
Because the feet of a human are not uniform, i.e. the back or heel
portion of the foot is narrower than the front portion, alignment
stripes that are horizontally disposed upon each shoe (with respect
to the longitudinal axis of an individual shoe), when brought
together, do not result in a series of horizontal lines extending
across the shoes. Instead, due to the narrower heel portion of the
feet, when the feet are brought together, the front portions of the
feet are slightly splayed out, resulting in a series of stripes
that are not aligned and therefore worthless to the golfer. To
address this, the present invention uses precisely aligned stripes,
skewed at a slight angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of
the shoe, such that when the golfer's shoes are brought either
together (as if the insteps and the heels were touching), or close
to each other, at the beginning of the alignment process before he
or she actually strikes the ball, a series of substantially
parallel horizontal lines are formed. The golfer may then glance
down at the Vertical Alignment Channel that has been created from
the lining up of the inner edges of the now horizontal stripes, and
use this visual alignment grid as a guide in order to align his or
her feet with respect to the putter face and original target line,
which in turn obviously influences the alignment of the rest of the
body.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a golf shot
alignment system is provided. The system comprises a left and a
right shoe, each having a longitudinal axis wherein each shoe
includes alignment indicia disposed upon an upper surface thereof,
such that when the left and the right shoe are positioned proximate
each other, the alignment indicia form both a vertical and
horizontal alignment grid to assist a golfer in alignment of his or
her feet in preparation for a properly aligned golf shot.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a pair of
golf shoes used to assist a golfer in aligning his or her body
before striking a golf ball is provided. The left and the right
shoe each have a longitudinal axis wherein each shoe includes
alignment indicia disposed upon an upper surface thereof. The
alignment indicia are comprised of at least one alignment stripe,
each alignment stripe having a transverse axis offset from the
longitudinal axis of the shoe upon which it is disposed such that
when the left and the right shoe are positioned proximate each
other, the inner edges of the alignment stripes on the left shoe
become substantially parallel to the inner edges of the alignment
stripes on the right shoe. This is due to a wider width of a
human's front foot region and a narrower width of a human's rear
foot region. The result is the creation of a virtual vertical
alignment channel extending forward from the aligned inner edges of
the alignment stripes in order to assist the golfer in alignment of
his or her feet in preparation for a properly aligned golf
shot.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for assisting a
golfer in preparing for a golf shot is provided. The method
comprises the steps of positioning the golfer's left and right
shoes, wherein each of the golfer's shoes have a longitudinal axis
and alignment indicia disposed upon an upper surface of each said
shoe. The alignment indicia are comprised of at least one alignment
stripe, each alignment stripe having a transverse axis offset from
the longitudinal axis of the shoe upon which it is disposed. The
golfer then aligns his or her shoes such that when the left and the
right shoe are positioned proximate each other, the inner edges of
the alignment stripes on the left shoe become substantially
parallel to the inner edges of the alignment stripes on the right
shoe due to a wider width of a human's front foot region and a
narrower width of a human's rear foot region. The result is the
creation of a virtual vertical alignment channel extending forward
from the aligned inner edges of the alignment stripes in order to
assist the golfer in alignment of his or her feet in preparation
for a properly aligned golf shot.
In still another aspect of the present invention, a method for
assisting a golfer in preparing for a golf shot is provided. The
method for comprises the steps of positioning a golfer's left and
right shoes in a first position wherein the golfer's feet are in a
pre-shot orientation. Each of the golfer's shoes have a
longitudinal axis, wherein each said shoe includes alignment
indicia disposed upon an upper surface thereof. The alignment
indicia are comprised of at least one alignment stripe each having
a transverse axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the shoe
upon which it is disposed. The golfer then moves his or her feet
together resulting in a second position wherein the golfer's shoes
are proximate each other such that the inner edges of the alignment
stripes on the left shoe become substantially parallel to the inner
edges of the alignment stripes on the right shoe due to a wider
width of a human's front foot region and a narrower width of a
human's rear foot region. This creates a virtual vertical alignment
channel and corresponding set of alignment stripes. In essence, a
completely visual, vertical and horizontal alignment grid is used
to assist the golfer in aligning his or her feet substantially
parallel to an originally chosen target line.
By utilizing the present invention, the golfer may now properly
position his or her feet by aligning the Vertical Alignment Channel
(VAC) parallel to the already positioned clubface. This, in turn,
aligns the horizontal alignment stripes parallel to the originally
chosen target line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the
attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily
understood by reference to the following detailed description when
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein
like designations refer to like elements, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top view of a pair of golf shoes utilizing the
alignment system of the present invention prior to the activation
of the system wherein the golfer's shoes are separated;
FIG. 2 is a top view of a pair of golf shoes utilizing the
alignment system of the present invention after the system has been
activated wherein the golfer's shoes are close together;
FIG. 3 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present
invention wherein each shoe utilizes a vertical alignment stripe
connecting three horizontally-disposed alignment stripes;
FIG. 4 is a top view an alternate embodiment of the present
invention wherein each shoe utilizes a vertical alignment stripe
connecting two horizontally-disposed alignment stripes;
FIG. 5 is a front view of a golfer wearing the golf shoes of the
present invention approaching a ball prior to putting;
FIG. 6 is a front view of a golfer bringing his or her feet
together to activate the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a front view of a golfer wearing an alternate embodiment
of the golf shoes of the present invention approaching a ball prior
to putting; and
FIG. 8 is a front view of a golfer wearing an alternate embodiment
of the golf shoes of the present invention after bringing his or
her feet together to activate the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a system and method used to assist a
golfer in aligning his or her feet, body and golf club before
striking the ball. The system is comprised of indicia disposed upon
the golfer's shoes in such a manner that when the shoes are brought
together in a side-by-side fashion, a common procedure prior to
putting, the result is a visual vertical and horizontal alignment
grid that helps the golfer align his or her body and golf club to
thereby assist in striking the ball along the chosen target
line.
Referring to FIG. 1, a pair of golf shoes incorporating the
alignment indicia of the present invention, is shown. Left shoe 10
and right shoe 20 comprise a pair of shoes normally used by a
golfer on a golf course. The shoes include front regions 12 and 14,
and rear regions 16 and 21. The shape of a human's foot is unique
in that the width of the front portion is wider than the width of
the rear portion. This can be seen clearly in FIG. 1. Shoe 10
includes a longitudinal axis 18 running lengthwise through the
shoe, from rear region 16 to front region 12. Likewise, shoe 20
includes a longitudinal axis 22 running lengthwise through the
shoe, from rear region 21 to front region 14.
Shoes 10 and 20 further include a series of alignment stripes 24
and 26 disposed upon the upper front surface of each shoe. Stripes
24 and 26 are substantially rectangular in shape and each are
comprised of a longitudinal axis 24a, 26a and a transverse axis
24b, 26b. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the alignment stripes 24 and
26 are aligned in a manner offset from the corresponding
longitudinal axis 18, 22 of each shoe such that the transverse axes
24b of alignment stripes 24 are offset from the longitudinal axis
18 of shoe 10 by an angle .theta.. Likewise, the transverse axes
26b of alignment stripes 26 are offset from the longitudinal axis
22 of shoe 20 by an angle .theta..
Angle .theta. can vary depending upon the width of the shoes. For
example, shoes with little difference in the toe and heel region
widths may have an angle .theta. of as little as approximately 10
degrees or less, while shoes with a large disparity in heel and toe
width may have an angle .theta. larger than 10 degrees. Generally,
shoes that have a wider front region 12 and 14, for example, may
require a larger angle .theta.. In other words, if front portions
12 and 14 were wider, when the golfer's feet came together as shown
in FIG. 2., the front portions of each shoe may be splayed out at a
greater angle due to the wider dimensions of the front regions of
the shoes. Therefore, in order for alignment stripes 24 and 26 to
properly line up when the shoes are in the position shown in FIG.
2, the stripes may have to be disposed upon the shoes at a greater
angle .theta.. Although shoes 10 and 20 shown in FIG. 1 include
three alignment stripes, the present invention is not limited to
the number of horizontally-disposed alignment stripes. One or more
alignment stripes may be disposed upon each shoe. However, the
stripes need not be of a rectangular shape. The alignment stripes
must however be aligned beneath each other in such a manner that
when the shoes are brought together, the inner edges of the
alignment stripes of one shoe are substantially parallel to the
inner edges of the alignment stripes of the other shoe thus forming
a Vertical Alignment Channel (VAC) extending forward and towards
the golf green. In other words, if more than one alignment stripe
is used on a shoe, the stripes (when the shoes are brought together
or very close to each other) must line up in such a fashion that
the inner edges of alignment stripes on one shoe form an imaginary
vertical line that is substantially parallel with an imaginary
vertical line formed by the corresponding inner edges of the
alignment stripes upon the other shoe. This is critical to the
formation of the Vertical Alignment Channel (VAC) described in
greater detail below.
Alignment stripes 24, 26 may be disposed upon shoes 10, 20 in a
variety of ways. Stripes 24, 26 may be stitched onto each shoe,
affixed to the shoe via adhering means, such as glue, VELCRO.RTM.
or other common adhesive means commonly known in the art, painted
upon the shoes, or formed as an integral part of the shoes. The
stripes themselves may be comprised of any material that can be
affixed to golf shoes either permanently or temporarily. Felt,
plastic, waterproof material, stitching and sown-on leather are
just a few examples of material that can be used. Further, the
stripes 24 and 26 may be formed of a color that is in contrast to
the color of the shoes in order for the golfer to easily detect the
stripes. Golf shoes are typically white, so the alignment stripes
may be black or another dark color so that they may be easily
noticeable. Alternatively, the stripes may be comprised of raised
stitching, recessed grooves, or virtually any other type of
visually perceptible markings.
The present invention is not limited to a specific number of
alignment stripes 24, 26. Further, as described above, the angle of
the alignment stripes may be altered to accommodate different
styles and widths of golf shoes. Some golf shoe manufacturers make
wider soled shoes, which would affect the angle of orientation of
the stripes. The alignment stripes utilized in the present
invention may be comprised of virtually any type of material that
can adhere to the tops of golf shoes. Further, as mentioned, the
alignment stripes may be painted or drawn on the shoes or, the
shoes may be manufactured with the alignment stripes as an integral
part of the shoes, or the alignment stripes may be comprised of
raised stitching or recessed grooves within the shoe.
In FIG. 1, shoes 10 and 20 are positioned in a wide-apart,
shoulders width orientation, which is typically taken by a golfer
approaching a golf ball. In this first position, with the golfer's
feet positioned directly forward, i.e., not in a natural,
splayed-out stance, the alignment stripes 24, 26 cannot be utilized
as an alignment guide since their transverse axis 24b, 26b are
offset from the natural longitudinal axes 18, 22 of shoes 10, 20.
Therefore, if the golfer were to look down at the shoes at this
point, the golfer would see a series of skewed stripes at an angle
offset from the lengthwise axis of each shoe. FIG. 2, however,
illustrates shoes 10, 20 after the golfer has moved his or her feet
together, in a side-by-side, second position. This is normally done
prior to a putt, to allow the golfer to properly align his or her
body and golf clubface. Some golfers may even keep their feet in
this orientation during the putt. Although FIG. 2 illustrates shoe
10 touching shoe 20 at both the heel and the toe regions, the shoes
need not be actually touching at these regions. The shoes could be
touching at the toe regions and not touching although very close to
each other at the heel regions. Likewise, the heel regions could be
touching while the toe regions are very close to each other, but
not touching. Finally, the shoes may not be touching at all, but
are positioned very close to each other. The amount of space
between the shoes actually depends upon the golfer's eyesight and
experience in using the present invention since the golfer must
perceive a virtual continuous horizontal line from alignment
stripes 24 on the left shoe 10 to alignment stripes 26 on the right
shoe 20. Further, the golfer must perceive a virtual continuous
Vertical Alignment Channel 30 formed by the alignment of the inner
edges of alignment stripes 24 on shoe 10, referred to as 28a, and
the corresponding alignment of the edges of alignment stripes 26 on
shoe 20, referred to as 28b, extending forward onto the golf green.
However, by placing the shoes in such a fashion so that the heels
and toes touch, a natural guide is presented to the golfer in the
form of a vertical and horizontal visual alignment grid. In this
fashion, the golfer merely brings the heel and toe regions of the
shoes together so that they touch, or so that they are very close
to each other and the alignment stripes, appearing offset in the
approach position shown in FIG. 1, now form both vertical and
horizontal parallel guidelines to assist the golfer in aligning his
or her feet and body in preparation for the ensuing golf shot.
The foundation and proper use of the golf alignment system of the
present invention is centered around the Vertical Alignment Channel
("VAC") 30. VAC 30 shown in FIG. 2 is a visual reference channel
formed when the user's shoes are placed close together or when they
touch, as described above. Virtual vertical lines run up and down
the inner edges of the aligned horizontal stripes in a north/south
or vertical direction. Although in this embodiment (shown in FIG.
2) of the invention there are no actual lines marked, the channel
appears due to the visually discernable color or material contrast
of the alignment stripes 24 and 26, which are now directly below
one another on each shoe. VAC 30 is formed only when the shoes are
in a natural, side-by-side position, i.e. when the heel regions 16
and 21 and the front regions 12 and 14 of the shoes are very close
to each other or touching in a side-by-side orientation. This is
critical for several reasons. First, a consistent initial reference
point is provided. Anybody, regardless of the size of their shoe or
the shape or length of their legs, can put their feet together.
Second, it provides the golfer an opportunity to align VAC 30
parallel with the golf clubface. Finally, once this position is
achieved, the golfer can now be confident that the newly formed
horizontal alignment stripes also provide a virtual horizontal
guideline stretching across and between the shoes that is indeed
parallel to the chosen target line.
It is important to note that the alignment system of the present
invention does not require that the feet of the golfer must touch.
Since a golfer typically places his or her feet close to each other
while preparing to strike the ball, rather than actually touching
their feet, the alignment system can be utilized and the VAC 30 can
be formed by merely placing the shoes close to each other in a
side-by-side manner, thereby mimicking the position that the shoes
take as if they were actually touching each other in a side-by-side
manner.
At this point in the alignment process, the golfer can turn his/her
head as often as desired. The golfer's feet are in a properly
aligned position. This now allows the golfer to reinforce the
target line utilizing the parallel relationship of the horizontal
alignment stripes to the chosen target line, spread his or her feet
if desired, and take some practice strokes knowing that the
clubface can be returned to the correct position by simply
realigning the clubface parallel to the now established Vertical
Alignment Channel 30. The arrangement of the alignment stripes 24
and 26 in a horizontal position also serves as a guide for the club
head, particularly during putting, as the horizontal lines serve as
a visual reminder of the correct stroke path of the putter head,
i.e., straight back and straight forward. A series of horizontal
guidelines 32 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Here, a set of virtual
horizontal lines extend between the shoes, as a natural extension
of the top edge of all the alignment stripes on each shoe. The
golfer can then mimic this virtual horizontal guide by swinging the
golf club along an adjacent parallel horizontal plane when striking
the ball.
The Vertical Alignment Channel 30 also affords the golfer a visual
checkpoint for the putter face at contact. It can be seen during
contact whether the putter face meets the ball square (parallel to
Vertical Alignment Channel 30) or off center (i.e. "closed" or
"open"), resulting in a "hooked" or a "blocked" putt, respectively.
In other words, the golf alignment system of the present invention
also acts as a training aid for correct putter face alignment and
stroke path production. Discrete parts of the full alignment system
of the present invention can be utilized individually at the
golfer's discretion. For example, a beginning golfer may first need
to place his or her shoes together, the heels and toes touching,
utilize the vertical and horizontal alignment grid and then
separate their shoes prior to striking the ball. However, as the
golfer's skill in using the invention progresses, the golfer may no
longer need to place his or her shoes together and, instead, may
simply walk up to the ball, place his or her shoes in a comfortable
position, i.e. one that mimics the close proximity stance described
above, use the alignment grid to align his or her feet and body by
"eyeballing" the alignment stripes, which are in a substantially
parallel arrangement due to the positioning of the golfer's feet,
and swing the face of the golf club through a line perpendicular to
the Vertical Alignment Channel (VAC) and strike the ball.
It is important to note that the alignment stripes are not
horizontally disposed upon the shoe in relation to a central
lengthwise axis upon each shoe. As shown in FIG. 1, three stripes
are disposed at a slight angle on the golfer's shoe. In FIG. 1, an
exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. In this
illustration, a set of alignment stripes can be seen on each shoe.
When the golfer's feet are separated, and the heels and toes are
not touching, the lines are skewed and are not horizontal with
respect to the shoe, unless they mimic the natural, splayed,
side-by-side stance. Because it is generally advisable to utilize a
consistent side-by-side parallel foot stance in performing a putt
with the feet apart, the present invention takes into account the
necessity for the golfer to place his or her feet in a side-by-side
manner prior to striking the ball.
Typically, when a golfer lines up to putt a ball, the golfer first
attempts to create a visual path in his mind's eye from the ball to
the hole by standing or crouching behind the ball. The golfer then
steps around into a sideways position, or an "address position".
When one's feet are brought together, it is always the case that
the front portions of the feet are slightly splayed outward since
the rear or heel portion of one's feet are narrower than the front
portion. Therefore, the present invention takes into account this
natural difference in foot width by aligning the stripes on each
shoe slightly askew, as shown in FIG. 1. The upward angle of each
set of alignment stripes is evident from this figure.
The alignment stripes are affixed to the upper of each shoe and
offset at a particular angle with respect to an imaginary vertical
line running through and bisecting the length of each shoe. As
discussed above, it is within the scope of the invention to allow
for a great range in this angle, depending upon the difference in
shoe width between the toe and heel regions. In other words, if the
angle .theta. is ten degrees, it is approximately a ten-degree
shift of each heel inward from a position where the shoes lay
separated yet parallel in respect to the aforementioned vertical
lengthwise line, (where the stripes of one shoe are thus not
parallel with the stripes on the other shoe), to a position where
the heels and inner toe portion of the shoes are touching, and the
combined alignment stripes of each shoe now form extended
horizontal lines, as in FIG. 2. However, because shoe widths and
dimensions may vary, the invention does not limit the alignment
stripes to a precise angle or a specific range of angles.
Once the golfer's feet have been brought together as in FIG. 2, the
VAC 30 is created. As shown in FIG. 2, the alignment stripes create
a vertical channel and afford the golfer an opportunity to line up
the VAC 30 parallel to the already positioned clubface. In this
fashion, the golfer now has a set of vertical and horizontal
guidelines by which to align his or her feet parallel to the
clubface, and thus, in turn, align the golfer's feet parallel to
the originally chosen target line. Again, it is critical to note
that the invention is effective by taking advantage of the steps
normally taken by a golfer in preparing and lining up for a putt,
or other type of golf shot. Although the invention may be utilized
for any type of golf shot, whether it be driving, fairway shots, or
the like, it is most effective when used as an alignment guide for
putting since putting typically requires the golfer's feet to be
close together, in a natural side-by-side manner. Finally, as these
horizontal stripes provide a visual putting line image parallel to
the original target line, the line can now be used to reinforce the
correct "straight back, straight forward" putting stroke.
Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the present
invention is shown. A substantially vertical alignment stripe 34
connects one or more of the horizontal alignment stripes 24, 26.
This vertical stripe 34 assists in the alignment process by
providing the golfer with a visual vertical portion of the VAC 30.
FIG. 4 illustrates the usefulness of vertical stripe 34 after the
golfer's feet have been brought together. In FIG. 4, two horizontal
alignment stripes are disposed upon each shoe instead of three.
Vertical stripe 34 provides the golfer with a physical visual
vertical alignment guide as opposed to the virtual or perceived
Vertical Alignment Channel 30. This physical guide is a portion of
the VAC 30 described earlier. VAC 30 therefore extends the vertical
guide created by vertical stripes 34 onto the golf green.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the present invention in use. In FIG. 5, a
golfer approaches a golf ball in preparation for a shot. Left shoe
10 and right shoe 20 include two alignment stripes 24 and 26,
respectively. A vertical alignment stripe 34 connects the
horizontal alignment stripes on each shoe. In this position, the
golfer is not yet ready to putt, and instead must bring his or her
feet closer together to get into the proper alignment or "address"
position unless they are already positioned correctly. Although the
golfer's feet are pointed substantially forward, the alignment
stripes 24 and 26 are skewed outward and the alignment system is
not activated.
In FIG. 6, the golfer's feet are now in a side-by-side arrangement,
and the golfer may now properly position his or her feet in
relation to the already positioned clubface. The golfer glances
down at his shoes and locates both the physical and the virtual
Vertical Alignment Channel 30, which has now been created. The
golfer is aided by the appearance of the vertical alignment stripe
34, which is part of VAC 30. The golfer may now position his or her
feet in relation to the face of the golf club using the two
imaginary lines (comprising VAC 30) that extend out from vertical
stripe 34 on each shoe. The golfer's feet are now positioned
correctly in order to properly strike the ball. Further, prior to
swinging, the golfer may also glance down and make sure that the
ensuing stroke follows the identical back and forth path in
accordance with the horizontal guide created from the parallel
arrangement of each of the alignment stripes on the left shoe with
each of the corresponding alignment stripes on the right shoe.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are identical to FIGS. 5 and 6 except for the absence
of vertical alignment stripes 34. However, the same principals
apply for aligning the golfer's feet prior to putting. In FIG. 8,
VAC 30 is created upon the touching or close, side-by-side
positioning of the shoes. The golfer then positions his or her feet
(parallel) in relation to the already positioned clubface utilizing
this "channel". Further, in the position shown in FIG. 8, the
virtual horizontal guide, formed by the arrangement of
corresponding alignment stripes on each shoe, appears, and the
golfer would then attempt to swing the golf club parallel to the
horizontal guideline thereby insuring the proper striking of the
golf ball during the putt.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the
present invention is not limited to what has been particularly
shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was
made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the
accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications
and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is
limited only by the following claims.
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